Get Connected!

Posted By: Dieuner Joseph | Friday, July 05, 2019

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:5-7

Every time I work from home, I have to log into the Virtual Private Network (VPN) for my company to access their database and work accordingly. If I do not log into the VPN, I cannot access my work emails and the central database that I use to process the clinical data that I have to prepare for FDA analysis. Through VPN, I can stay in touch with my direct reports from many countries. The company spends millions to ensure their network is protected against malware and harmful viruses. I can only access the private network through a company assigned computer.

In today’s text, Jesus tells the disciples he is the vine, and they are the branches. If they stay connected to him, they will bear much fruit. He reminds them that without him, they can’t do anything, and will wither and die. He compares those that are not connected to him as a branch that is thrown away and withers.

Jesus is the password that gives us access to God’s Heavenly Private Network (HPN). Without Jesus, we will wither and thrown into the fire of hell to be burned. Every day we wake up, we have to access God’s HPN in the name of Jesus so we can do God’s kingdom work.

There are times when my company’s VPN is down for a variety of reasons. However, God’s HPN is never down. It is always safe and secured. We don’t have to worry about viruses or malware. Nothing or no one can penetrate God’s firewall. Jesus guarantees our eternal security because he is the gateway to glory.

Many followers of different religions are trying to access God’s HPN without the right password. However, in Acts 4:12, we are told, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." The only way to get connected with God is through the resurrected Jesus.

There are times when I forget my password and cannot log into the VPN. In those times, I have to call the hotline so they can reset my password. But before the IT technician can reset my password, he asks some personal questions to make sure I am who I say I am. The technician wants to make sure that I am indeed an employee who should be having access to the company’s VPN.

As sinful beings, you and I will mess up and even backslide, every now and then. We can easily forget who we are and whose we are. The good news is that we can always call heaven’s hotline to get reconnected to the Father. When we do call, we have to use our heavenly identity as followers of Jesus.

Perhaps you have lost your password to stay connected to God’s network. Consequently, you stopped praying, or don’t go to church, or too busy to serve, or too angry to forgive. All you have to do is call heaven’s hotline through prayer and let it be known that you want to get reconnected with God in the name of Jesus. You will not be denied because of the blood of the resurrected Jesus. There is no need to postpone this decision any further. I want to invite you to close your eyes right now and say this prayer: “Father, I confess that I am a sinner and have lost my way. I want to get reconnected to you in the name of Jesus. I repent of my disobedience and wish to have a relationship of loving union with you once again. Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation so that I can praise you forevermore. In Jesus name, I pray!

Prayer- Father, I am praying for those that are trying to access you without Jesus. May they come to know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!

About The Author

Rev. Dieuner Joseph is a dynamic leader, disciple Maker, Writer, Talk Show host, and Spiritual counselor. Reverend Joseph is the founder of the Imani Temple Baptist Church and the Disciple Maker Ministry. He is a skilled Bible teacher who carefully and
responsibly exegete the Scriptures to make them relevant to today’s readers. Through his Blog and weekly Christian magazine- The Wednesday Word- he seeks to provide Bible based instructions for dealing with the socio-political issues of today.